売り言葉

• Reading: うりことば
• Romaji: urikotoba
• Kanji breakdown: 売 (bai/u) — sell; 言 (gen/ko) — word; 葉 (you/ha) — leaf, word
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɾi.ko̞.to̞.ba/

Meaning

Provocative remark; fighting words; a heated or aggressive comment made to provoke a reaction.

A noun describing words spoken provocatively or aggressively to invite conflict. Almost always appears in the set phrase 売り言葉に買い言葉 (urikotoba ni kaikotoba) — 'fighting words met with fighting words' — meaning an argument that escalates as each side responds in kind, like a verbal transaction where provocations are 'sold' and 'bought.' Used to describe arguments that spiral out of control through mutual escalation.

Examples

1. 売り言葉に買い言葉で、二人の口論はどんどん激しくなっていった。 Fighting words met with fighting words, and the argument between the two grew increasingly heated.
2. 彼の売り言葉に冷静でいられたことが、最終的に彼を救った。 Being able to stay calm in the face of his provocative words ultimately saved him.
3. 感情的になって売り言葉を言ってしまったことを、後で後悔した。 He later regretted having let himself get emotional and say something provocative.

Usage Guide

Context: conflict, argument, emotion, proverbs

Tone: aggressive, heated

Origin & History

From 売る (to sell, to put out, to provoke) + 言葉 (words). The metaphor treats provocative speech as something 'sold' or 'put on the market,' expecting the other party to 'buy in' by responding in kind.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: General